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Advent Week Four - Thursday
By Pat Lee | December 22, 2011
Thursday - December 22rd: Nothing is Impossible with God
Scripture:2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16 Psalm89:2-5,27,29 Luke1:67-79
Reflection: John the Baptist was born shortly before Mary delivered her son, Jesus. When John was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Jewish rite, his father Zechariah was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and with great joy. Inspired by the Holy Spirit he spoke a prophetic hymn of blessing for the work of redemption which God was about to accomplish in Jesus. He discerned the immanent fulfillment of God’s promise to David and through the coming of the Messianic King (2 Samuel 7:16) who would establish justice and peace.
We sometimes think of peace as the absence of war but the peace that Jesus brings is the peace that can only come through accepting forgiveness and the offer of a redeemed healthy and life-giving relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit gave Zechariah a vision for his son John as a prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah. The Holy Spirit can give us a confidence in the knowledge of God’s merciful love which he offers us through his Son Jesus Christ. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to prepare the way that leads to faith in Jesus.
In sending the Messiah God has come to us as one of us to redeem us. At Christmas we celebrate and give thanks for God’s gift of Jesus. In Advent we pray that the Holy Spirit inspire us to proclaim, in word and deed, the good news of redemption offered by Jesus.
“Lord, you have been gracious and merciful towards your people. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that, through what we say and do, we bear witness the gospel of Jesus.”
Topics: Advent |
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